7 Reasons to Visit the Hamptons in March

New York City posh summer weekender offers off-peak pleasures

The best place to catch the sunrise or sunset is at the beach – go anytime, as in winter you don’t need a beach sticker to park.

From June to September, the Hamptons fills up with affluent New Yorkers coming for a weekend getaway to sun, eat, drink, and shop. During those busy summer months, the population of this stretch of Long Island beachfront explodes, as everyone from celebrities and CEOs to filmmakers and fashionistas vie for tables at restaurants, coffee shops, and bars.

But the Hamptons is more than just a summer weekend destinaton. In fact, the area has a lot to offer year round, especially in March. Here’s 7 reasons to make the 2-hour trip:

1. The Obvious Reason – Price!Visiting during the off-season is an affordable way to discover what everyone has been talking about and experience everything the region has to offer. The Southampton Inn is currently offering travel packages as low as $219, which includes 2-glasses of wine, 3-course dinner for two, and breakfast the following morning.

2. WinterfestThe North Fork of Long Island is lined with vineyards and makes for an excellent day trip, especially during Winterfest. And along with wine is music. From now until March 16, “Live on the Vine” showcases a variety of performers in vineyard tasting rooms, hotels and other venues on the East End.

3. It doesn’t take 4 hours to drive there from NYCTurns out when you’re not part of the parade of summer traffic, the drive from Manhattan to Southampton takes less than 2 hours. (If you plan to go the speed limit the whole way there, that is; speed demons could set a record.)

4. The Parrish Art MuseumThe Parrish Art Museum, founded in 1898, opened the doors of its new, 34,400-square-foot Herzog & de Meuron designed, building in November of 2012. The new Parrish includes 12,200 square feet of exhibition space – three times that of the Museum’s former home on Jobs Lane in Southampton. Seven sky-lit galleries devoted to the permanent collection showcase the story of America’s most enduring and influential artists’ colony-Eastern Long Island.

5. Parking is EasyA great miracle taking place is not required to find a parking spot in the village. You’ll find all these open spaces just waiting.

6. A New Ice Skating RinkSouthampton Golf Range recently opened a new ice-skating rink to allow visitors to enjoy the outdoors; the rink also offers skating lessons.

7. You can actually get a reservation at Nick & Toni’sYou won’t have to queue too long (if at all) to dine out at East Hampton’s hottest restaurant.